Looking for a cheaper tank of gas? You might want to fill up in the Rockies.
Average gas prices in Pittsburgh rose two cents in the last week, while lower prices are outside the Northeast, according to GasBuddy.com.
Patrick DeHann, the website’s Senior Petroleum Analyst, said the average Pittsburgh price for gas is $3.51 a gallon, compared to the national average of $3.26.
He said the increase is due to oil prices making advances and tight oil reserves.
“Inventories of gasoline have been relatively lax throughout the United States, with the exception Pennsylvania and the rest of New England,” said DeHann. “And that has been driving gasoline prices in the opposite direction.”
DeHann said regions with lower prices are also driving down the national average. These include Rocky Mountain, and Great Lakes states that are importing cheap Canadian oil.
He said Pittsburghers shouldn’t expect to see much of a change in the upcoming weeks.
“Gas prices may remain relatively steady, within a few cents of where they are today. I don’t see an increase lasting for very long,” said DeHann. “I would say that the increase of two cents a gallon in the last week is very insignificant as well. I think that may hold true another week or two.”
DeHann said gas prices tend to be less volatile this time of year because demand is lower.
He said they’re expecting lower gas prices in 2013, but still higher than most Americans would like to spend.
